How are both Oedipus and Jocasta guilty of pride?

Answer

How are both Oedipus and Jocasta guilty of pride?

Sophocles’ (c. 496 – 406 BC) “Oedipus Rex” (first performed in c. 429 BC) portrays the tragedy of King Oedipus. In the play, both Oedipus and Jocasta’s downfall happens because of their pride (hubris). They think they can escape fate and ignore the gods’ prophecies. Their arrogance leads to their downfall.

Oedipus’ Pride: Oedipus is a proud and confident king. He proudly introduces himself:

Here I am myself…

the world knows my fame:

I am Oedipus.

Oedipus believes he can solve any problem, just like he solved the Sphinx’s riddle. He thinks he knows more than others, even the gods. When the blind prophet Teiresias tells him the truth—Oedipus is the curse (cause of the plague) of Thebes and the killer of the former king Laius—Oedipus refuses to believe him. He accuses him of lying and plotting against him. He even insults Tiresias by saying:

You have no power or truth. You are blind, your ears and mind as well as eyes.

Oedipus also disrespects fate. Even though he hears the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, he thinks he can avoid it by running away. This act leads him to fulfill his prophecy.

Jocasta’s Pride: Jocasta also shows pride by rejecting prophecies. She thinks she has defeated fate because she and Laius left their baby (Oedipus) to die. She also tells Oedipus that oracles are not always true. She says:

No human being has skill in prophecy.

Jocasta believes she outsmarted the gods, but in reality, the prophecy comes true in the worst way.

In short, their pride makes them arrogant. They cannot admit they are wrong until it is too late. In the end, Oedipus blinds himself, and Jocasta kills herself. Thus, their pride destroys them.